Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 94

The soldiers instantly stiffened, no longer retreating. However, most of their gazes landed on a single young soldier.

“I said it. Kill me or cut me as you please,” the young man gritted his teeth and stood up. Since he had said it and there was no hiding from the consequences, he might as well face them boldly.

Shushi kicked him over, stepping firmly on him. She turned her head and looked at Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin lowered her gaze, scanning the crowd of soldiers. “Your Commander Chen was right. This Princess is not only going to oppose the government; I am going to march straight into Yangzhou City. If anyone else seeks death, stand up now and I shall fulfill your wish. Otherwise, you will obey my orders.”

The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence. After a moment, an older soldier stood up. “I would rather die than help a tyrant.”

“Su Da is right! We will never help a tyrant!” Several more soldiers stood up to join him.

Ye Xuejin’s expression remained unchanged as she looked coolly at Shushi. “Wake him up.”

Shushi immediately delivered a brutal kick to Commander Chen’s face.

“AH!” Chen cried out in pain, clutching his nose—which felt as if it were about to fall off—as he woke.

Ye Xuejin took a step forward, staring directly at Chen. “You are the Commander of Yangzhou; these are your men. I give you one chance: make those standing men kneel again and follow me into Yangzhou City, and you shall live.”

Hearing this, Chen forgot his pain. He looked at the standing soldiers frantically. “Kneel! Kneel down this instant!”

“I command you to kneel! Her Highness has the protection of an Immortal; we will surely take the city!” “Are you all stupid? Kneel and thank Her Highness for her mercy!”

Chen shouted in desperation until finally, only Su Da remained standing. Even the young man who had spoken first had knelt back down.

“Su Da, think of your wife and child…” Chen, desperate for his life, continued to plead. He regretted bringing this stubborn blockhead along. He had favored Su Da for his loyalty and bravery, but now that this loyalty was useless and threatened his own life, Chen wanted nothing more than to cut Su Da’s head off himself.

Ye Xuejin frowned and glanced at Shushi. Having been with her mistress for years, Shushi understood perfectly. With a single poke of the baton, Commander Chen was knocked unconscious again.

The silence was instantaneous. Ye Xuejin turned to the only man still standing. “Su Da, do you not want to live?”

Su Da clenched his fists, his face pale. “A true man knows what to do and what not to do. My blade will never be pointed at the common people of Yangzhou. Words are useless; kill me.”

He didn’t want to die, but he wasn’t afraid to.

Ye Xuejin’s voice grew cold. “Shushi, bind him.” Then, she looked at the soldiers kneeling on the ground, her tone even colder: “As for the rest… leave none alive.”

At her word, Yu Lu, Shushi, and the others surged forward, efficiently ending the battle. Su Da’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin met his gaze, her voice deep. “As soldiers of Dashao, you are meant to protect the people. Yet to save your own lives, you are willing to point your blades at those behind you. This Princess has no use for such soldiers.”

Su Da froze. Shock was replaced by confusion. To hear such words from a woman who just claimed to be a rebel seemed absurd.

Ye Xuejin spoke with hidden meaning. “Wait and see. In three days, we shall discuss your life and death again.”

Su Da frowned. See what?

Ye Xuejin ignored him and turned to the group. “The women will stay. Yu Lu, take the men back to the city immediately. If there is any movement, send one person to report. The rest of you find an opportunity to enter the Governor’s manor and protect Governor Zhou.”

“Understood!” Yu Lu cupped his fists, leading the guards onto their horses.

Su Da’s eyes widened again. Movement? Why protect that corrupt official, Governor Zhou? His mind was a mess, but he had the sense to stay quiet. He was bound, after all. Though loyal to the state and the people, he wasn’t a fool seeking a meaningless death. Moreover, he truly wanted to see what this former Princess wanted him to see.

The group headed back to the wooden huts. When the women there saw Su Da—bound to a tree and wearing his military uniform—their eyes blazed with fury.

“Your Highness.” “Your Highness…”

Despite their anger, the women did nothing. they only watched Ye Xuejin, their soft calls sounding as if they were trying to steady their own anxious hearts.

Ye Xuejin smiled gently at them. “I am unharmed. You need not mind this man; just leave him bound.”

The women smiled back, the fire in their eyes dimming slightly. Ye Xuejin spoke with them briefly, asking them to prepare a few rooms, then gestured for Qi Mingyan and the others to enter the main hut.

The small wooden house was suddenly packed. Yun Chi, without a second thought, summoned seven stools. Ye Xuejin’s smile deepened as she took Yun Chi’s hand and sat down, then looked at the seven women before her. “Sit. Let us talk.”

Qi Mingyan and Zhou Qiyue sat in the center. To the left were Ten Song and Ten Zhu; to the right were Ten Mei and Ten Ju. Shushi took her habitual place by Ye Xuejin’s side.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze swept over them. “Aside from the Old Madam and little Ying’er, there are twelve women here. I want the seven of you to accomplish one task within two days: teach every woman how to use a sleeve crossbow, how to use an electric baton, and the meaning of ‘orders must be obeyed.’ Can you do this?”

Her voice was steady and calm, possessing a power that made everyone straighten their backs with respect.

“We will give our all and not fail Your Highness’s expectations,” Qi Mingyan led the response.

Ye Xuejin nodded. “It is getting dark. You will all dine here with me tonight to get to know one another.” She paused, then added, “Remember, if the Consort and I are ever absent, Mingyan shall give the orders. If Mingyan is also away, Shushi shall be in charge.”

“Yes!” They answered in unison, each with their own thoughts. Zhou Qiyue was proud of her sister-in-law; Shushi was confident in her role; and the four maids looked at Qi Mingyan with curiosity. Qi Mingyan remained the most composed, her expression unchanging.

“Go now,” Ye Xuejin said with a meaningful smile. “As for Su Da… do not restrain the women from approaching him.”

“Mingyan understands,” Qi Mingyan replied immediately.

As they stepped outside, Zhou Qiyue couldn’t help but ask, “Sister-in-law, what did the Princess mean by ‘do not restrain the women’?”

Some understood, others didn’t. They all looked at Qi Mingyan. Her eyes darkened as she said slowly, “Use your eyes to see.”

Use their eyes? The Princess told Su Da to watch, too… watch what?

Soon, they would find out.